Howard Bashman highlights this interesting AP story on how the judge deal was negotiated and struck. Among other things, the story notes that within minutes of the deal, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid sought assurances from participating Democrats that they would vote to filibuster judicial nominees William Haynes (4th Circuit) and Brett Kavanaugh (D.C. Circuit), but that Senator Ben Nelson balked. Senator Mary Landrieu reportedly agreed in Reid’s office, but her office maintains that no commitment has been made.